Islanders Daily: Isles idle on Lane and Lou, NHL Draft Lottery & More

It’s been a week since we last heard anything from within Northwell Health Ice Center, and the question remains whether or not head coach Lane Lambert and team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello will return next season for the New York Islanders.

It is believed that Lamoriello’s contract with the team ended this season. Lamoriello hasn’t spoken publically since April 1 and did not address any questions regarding the status of his job. With Lamoriello’s future with the team up in the air, so too is Lambert’s.

If Islanders ownership decides to take the organization in a new direction after five seasons under Lamoriello by bringing in a new head of hockey operations, it’s reasonable to say that whoever they decide to bring in will cast aside Lambert and hire a new head coach of their choice.

However, even if Lamoriello does return under a new contract, he could also choose to give Lambert his walking papers and completely cut ties with the Barry Trotz coaching tree.

Lambert was named head coach this year after serving as an assistant under Trotz for a decade, both with the Islanders and Washington Capitals. The Islanders did experience moderate improvement in Lambert’s first season as head coach, compiling a record of 42-31-9 and returning to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2021-22. But was that enough to earn him a second year leading the team? We’ll have to wait and see.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: 

Through two games, the series between Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights has had all the making of a great playoff series thus far as it shifts back to Edmonton tonight for a pivotal Game 3.

After barely qualifying for the postseason, the Florida Panthers look like world-beaters thus far in the playoffs. They now have the perpetually tortured Toronto Maple Leafs on the brink of elimination via a sweep after beating John Tavares and co. 3-2 in OT last night in Sunrise, FL.

The New Jersey Devils got themselves back in their series with the Carolina Hurricanes with a dominant 8-4 in Game 3 on Sunday. Jack Hughes scored two goals in the victory, with his little brother Luke Hughes making his playoff debut.

The Seattle Kraken used a 5-goal second period to take a 2-1 series lead over the Dallas Stars.

NHL Entry Draft Lottery: 

We saw teams throughout the regular season compete–or fail to–for the right to draft perennial first overall pick Connor Bedard in this year’s entry draft. Tonight, we’ll find out what franchise is getting the best projected prospect since Connor McDavid in the NHL Entry Draft Lottery, starting at 8 p.m. The odds for the top pick are as follows:

1. Anaheim Ducks (18.5%)
2. Columbus Blue Jackets (13.5%)
3. Chicago Blackhawks (11.5%)
4. San Jose Sharks (9.5%)
5. Montreal Canadiens (8.5%)
6. Arizona Coyotes (7.5 %)
7. Philadelphia Flyers (6.5%)
8. Washington Capitals (6.0%)
9. Detroit Red Wings (5.0%)
10. St. Louis Blues (3.5%)

More from National Hockey Now: 

Boston Bruins: Source says major roster changes coming to Bruins

Washington Capitals: History leaves Caps hopeful for chances in draft lottery

Montreal Canadiens: Habs overage bonuses will impact salary cap next year